Navigation

A lot of research went into maps, Guidebooks, GPS and software. Here are our picks.  Since technology is rapidly changing, most of the software and GPS information provided below has been superceded by newer models or software.

Current GPS':

Mike's GPS:

Bought from GPS Central in Calgary in June 2007. Cost $750US c/w City Navigator NT North America.
Model: Garmin Zumo 450

                      Garmin Zumo 450                                   Motorcycle Mount for GPS from Migsel.com

Basic Data

Ruby's GPS:
Bought March 2005 from Map Town. Cost $350.00CDN
Model: Garmin GPSmap 76CS

GPSmap 76CS features
- Electronic compass & barometric altimeter
- Sunlight-readable display with 256-color transreflective TFT display
  (1.5" W x 2.2" H; 160 x 240 pixels)
- Faster processor, with auto routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts along city streets
  or trails when using MapSource City Select or 24K Topo software (optional software)
- 115 MB of internal memory for storing map detail
- Permanent user data storage; no memory battery required
- Each day's best hunting and fishing times - along with sunrise/sunset times - on the integrated
  Outdoor Calendar
- Fast map transfer, with support for both USB and serial port interfaces; navigation instructions
  can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated
  serial port
- Autorouting basemap with general map data, including highways, major roads, river, lakes, and borders
- 2.7" x 6.2" x 1.4" (W x H x D) unit dimensions
- Weighs 7.6 ounces (with batteries)
- WAAS GPS receiver with accuracy to 10 feet in North America; built-in quad-helix antenna
  for better satellite reception
- Up to 20 hours of battery life under typical-use conditions (uses two "AA" batteries)
- Multi-platform navigation for easy navigation in a car or boat, or on foot
- Accepts data from MapSource products (City Select and MetroGuide Canada v4 for driving,
  U.S. Topo and 24K Topo for hiking, Recreation Lakes for freshwater, and BlueChart for
  saltwater applications)
- Water resistant to IEC 529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for up
  to 30 minutes) and it floats!
- 50 reversible routes, 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each);
  TracBack technology (navigate to any track point on the displayed map); and 1000 user
  waypoints with name and additional graphical icons for location identification
- Proximity alerts for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint; built-in alarm clock
- Trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time,
  max speed, and more
- Area calculation feature calculates the area enclosed by a track.

GPS Software:

Software: Garmin Map Source City Navigator NT Europe V9

Cost: $295.00CDN Purchased at GPS Central in Calgary

Features: This latest version contains highly detailed maps of major metropolitan areas in Europe and includes Eastern Europe coverage. It also includes full coverage in Spain and Portugal and expanded address coverage in Belgium. This DVD's extensive points of interest database makes it simple to find a local gas station, restaurant and more.

Software: Garmin Map Source World Map

Cost: $115.00CDN Purchased at Map Town

Recommended for travel outside North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. Provides basic worldwide maps.

Features: Trip and waypoint management functions; political boundaries, cities, towns, major motorways and/or interstates, and principal highways; lakes, major streams, and rivers; and urban areas and railroads; Coastline detail which includes many offshore islands, as well as worldwide nautical navaids such as daybeacons, radiobeacons, RACONs, fog signals, lights, buoys, and other navaids.

Software: Garmin Map Source City Select Europe v7

Cost: $599.00CDN Purchased at Map Town. (Discontinued)

Version 7 features include:
Contains updated detailed maps of major metropolitan areas throughout Western Europe. Includes detailed maps containing motorways, national and regional thoroughfares and local roads with attributes such as turn restrictions, speed categories and other navigation features. Displays points of interest such as food and drink, lodging, border crossings, petrol stations, hospitals and more.

Software: Garmin Map Source City Navigator North America

Cost: $160.00CDN Came with Garmin BMW Motorrad Navigator II GPS.

Features: Premium maps contain full coverage throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico including metropolitan and rural areas. Includes detailed maps containing highways, interstates, business and residential roads with attributes such as turn restrictions, roundabout guidance, speed categories and other navigation features. Displays nearly 6 million points of interest such as: food and drink, lodging, attractions, entertainment, shopping, emergency services, camp grounds, theaters and more.

Maps:

The best maps we have found are by Freytag & Berndt. We are able to get them at Map Town in Calgary.

Guidebooks:

We use the Lonely Planet Guidebook for accommodation and general information. For example we bought the Middle East Lonely Planet Guidebook and it covered all the countries in enough details for our purpose.  For details on historical sites and tourist attraction nothing beats the DK Guidebooks.  They are truly superb.  Unfortunately they are also very heavy, but each attraction has a color picture, sometimes even tour map and great historical information.

DK Guidebook for Morocco                       Lonely Planet Guidebook for Africa

Previous GPS':

Bought with the BMWR1200GS in July 2004. Cost 1,995Euro or $2,800CDN.
Model: Garmin BMW Motorrad Navigator II

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